“I think there was a lot of beer involved. Plus, those shoes are slippery. Haven’t you ever noticed?”

“I’ve never played,” I admitted.

I watched her expression turn from playful to downright astonished.

“Never?”

“Nope.”

“Not even once?” she asked, her eyes still wide with disbelief.

“I believe that’s the definition of never.” I laughed.

“That’s ridiculous,” she said, her head shaking back and forth in complete shock, as if I’d just told her I’d never used modern plumbing or had a haircut. “We’re going to rectify this. Before we leave,” she announced with conviction.

“If you say so, but it’s really not that weird.”

“It’s weird, Roman,” she retorted, instantly realizing her slip.

It was the first time she’d ever used my first name. Usually, she didn’t address me at all, which I’d always found unusual, considering her immaculate manners. But seeing her reaction now? The instant flush, dodging my gaze… it was obvious she was conflicted.

Her breath caught for a moment, and time seemed to stand still. The sound of the tires against the pavement, the cars around us… everything stopped. For just one moment

And then it was gone.

“Sir, we’re here,” the driver announced as we came to a stop.

She looked at me for the briefest of time and then blinked, and it was as if the world reset itself. She gave me a polite smile, grabbed the formal tweed jacket she’d been carrying around with her all day, reached for the handle of the car, and was gone.

And the world suddenly seemed louder because of it.

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About J.L. Berg

J.L. Berg is the USA Today bestselling author of the Ready Series, The Walls Duet, and the Lost & Found Duet. She is a California native living in the beautiful state of historic Virginia. Married to her high school sweetheart, they have two beautiful girls that drive them batty on a daily basis. When she’s not writing, you will find her with her nose stuck in a romance novel, in a yoga studio or devouring anything chocolate. J.L. Berg is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC.